Trying to keep on top of it all.Busy,crazy ,life!

Catty89

Managed another NSD. Was working from home today then collected the vinted bits and bobs and have had the kids friends round so a nice easy freezer meal for dinner. I did pay a friend £20 for tickets we had bought for next year but this had been accounted for in last months pay. 
It's really hot here today so got 3 loads of washing outside. 
I'd said before I had been very unwell over summer so I missed the entire thing. So nice to see the sun when I'm feeling my normal self :)

Catty89

Today I spent £5 in a wedding card (I know alot)
£2 for a drink and chips at asda

£43 for daughter's birthday presents which came out birthday fund. Actually got her some good deals for that and don't have too much more to get. 
£14 for nails for wedding.havent had my nails done in 4 years so will be a nice treat. 
In the account still iv £513 for the month. Usually I'd panic at that as still 3 weeks left but keep reminding myself we don't have to do things. 

Catty89

So far NSD,  iv been at work then had a blood test at hospital then done the school run, older 2 are out playing and no activities tonight. 
Doing a sweet and sour chicken stir fry that needs using up by today. Normally I'd probably chuck it as really don't fancy that tonight but nope not wasting up.
Also at the hospital they have a markies and it always has nice food and always buy when I'm there but managed to resist and had a sandwich when I got home. 
I'm in the mood to spend money tonight but trying hard to resist.

Catty89

Can't just post the nsd days I suppose!
On Friday I bought a birthday present for D's friend- £17. Little more than usual but it's one of his close friends. 
I went to get my dress altered for the wedding which will be £20, pay on collection. Then in the evening we went to McDonald's which was £17. 
Dh cousin's birthday I spent £7.50 as got a good sale on a present. 
£15 on snacks which did us for the weekend and also school snacks for the week ahead. 
Although some spends that weren't needed I  have to see this as what is better or worse for me. To go into bm stores and ONLY buy the birthday present is amazing for me. To find a sale and ONLY buy the sale and not still buy more to make up to the price I'd usually spend is amazing for me. To get a mcds and not get the kids ice cream and give them some from the freezer at home is good for me. So it's little steps but feel if I go at it 100% il fall off the wagon faster. I'm happy we didn't go to Costi like we do usually.... We did go to the butcher and stock up on meat. We've been trying Ald/asda etc but I think when your used to the butcher there is a difference, plus i usually get th butcher's deals of the week and not really much more expensive than the supermarket but feel fills us more and stretches further. 

Skint_yet_Again

I think you are doing brilliantly 😁 I too struggle in the pound shop & bm and home b. All the little steps add up. If you have a good butcher I would stick to them and maybe eat less but good quality meat and maybe bulk meals out with more beans & veg. Many people use lentils too but I must admit I’ve never fancied them myself. I’d rather pack out a chicken curry with veg and chilli or pasta bake with veg & tin beans etc. 

I try to have oven cook chicken nugget / burger type foods and oven fries in the freezer for when I fancy McD or kfc. Have you ever done the survey on the top of the McD receipt ? Last time I did one I got a code for a Big Mac on my next visit for £1.99 & I can manage without fries and drink. Mc flurry is hard to resist so well done you for giving them ice cream at home from the freezer, much cheaper 🤗

Catty89

Skint_yet_Again said:

I think you are doing brilliantly 😁 I too struggle in the pound shop & bm and home b. All the little steps add up. If you have a good butcher I would stick to them and maybe eat less but good quality meat and maybe bulk meals out with more beans & veg. Many people use lentils too but I must admit I’ve never fancied them myself. I’d rather pack out a chicken curry with veg and chilli or pasta bake with veg & tin beans etc. 

I try to have oven cook chicken nugget / burger type foods and oven fries in the freezer for when I fancy McD or kfc. Have you ever done the survey on the top of the McD receipt ? Last time I did one I got a code for a Big Mac on my next visit for £1.99 & I can manage without fries and drink. Mc flurry is hard to resist so well done you for giving them ice cream at home from the freezer, much cheaper 🤗

Thanks, good idea having things in the freezer for days where you fancy it. I do have some freezer bits but maybe need things appealing for me too. 
I haven't done the surveys actually il need to check my receipt, I won a McChicken sandwich and fries on the monopoly thing that they do.

Shops like that are just so easy to spend money plus I actually enjoy buying the things but half the time I do get home and think where will I even out these things!

Catty89

Today has been a NSD, cleared out the girls room it is so so full of toys. They basically never want anything thrown out still have toys from 3 xmasses ago. I'm lucky that they still love playing so much but the room is unmanageable. So I spent FIVE hours today gutting it, sorting out there wardrobe and organising all the toys. Have a few bags full for the bin a few things to sell and a bag for charity. It looks alot better now and I think less time cleaning in future as much more organised. 
Apart from that iv done a few loads of washing and the weekly shop. Spent £59 in Aldi but yesterday think spent £25 at the butcher that will last 2 weeks.
I have done my ironing and packed lunches for tomorrow. Want another day off work to sit and relax haha always playing catch up. All the kids having showers and then il have a bath ready to start a busy week again tomorrow. 

Catty89

No spends again. Busy day at work then school pick up, kids had club after school and DD friend was over for dinner - fish & chips and then made some box cakes. Just done a walking video and away to watch some TV. I will have some spending this weekend that I need to do but some iv paid upfront at least.

Catty89

Went a walk this morning then worked and did a little bit of cleaning. Couple of loads of washing. I shampood the carpets upstairs with a machine someone was chucking away and omg the colour of the water! Hadn't realised it would be that bad!
Dinner tonight was just pizza, nothing fancy this week.
I am so tired today really knackered, I wanted to go and spend some money thought could get the kids some autumn clothes....but I was too tired to go to the shops so I managed to stop myself. It's weird how bad my urges to spend can be at times!!
I'm also really happy with how many no spend days I actually have! 
I have £240 left for the month though which isn't amazing when iv a weekend away at a wedding and still 2 weeks until payday! But we've alot of food, no birthdays etc coming up so really we should manage it's just less than I'd like at this stage of the month. 
Iv payed for the present, clothes. Weekend away is all sorted. I need to pay for my nails but that's only £15. 

Catty89

Managed to get another 10 hours at work per week, possibly for 3-6 months I will have to wait and see what that will be per month but I think a nice amount extra. I'm now feeling alot better so can start picking up shifts at my 2nd job, I have a shift this weekend that is double time so my worries about Xmas etc are alot less now. 
Think might be tricky working more with the kids and my housework etc but it's just got to be done for now. I know alot of people would disagree on here but it's not even for paying off debt more for things like if the windows start leaking in the winter this year have some money for it, I'm pretty sure iv a flat tyre keep pumping it up but goes down quick so it's nice to have extra per month for these things. I then want to get Xmas savings starting. This year the kids are getting alot less and family but I still really enjoy gifts so it won't be going completely!